New Delhi -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- India on Wednesday invited the Prime Minister of its archrival Pakistan to the swearing-in of its new leader , Narendra Modi .

Invitations were extended to the heads of all eight countries in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation , which includes Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif , the Indian external affairs ministry said .

`` This is the first time that India has invited all SAARC members to attend a swearing-in ceremony of a prime minister , '' ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin said .

Asked whether the move marked the start of a better relationship with Pakistan , he remarked , `` Let 's take one step at a time .

`` At this stage , the invitations have gone . Let 's take responses on this and we will take it from there , rather than jump to conclusions on the basis of our first step . ''

The swearing-in is set to take place Monday .

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India invites the PM of its archrival Pakistan to the swearing-in of its new leader

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Invitations were extended to the heads of all eight countries in the SAARC

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The swearing-in is set to take place Monday